26 flood warnings remain in place

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The Environment Agency has left 26 flood warnings in place after widespread downpours hit England and Wales over the weekend.

Forecasters predicted the heavy rains will ease off, but alerts remain in place in East Anglia, Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Kent and West Sussex.

Alongside the warnings, 143 flood watches are also in place across the rest of the country.

And the agency is monitoring water levels in the River Thames and North Sea over concerns of possible storm surges.

It was forced to close the Thames Barrrier twice on Sunday to protect London from a combined high tide and tidal surge in the Thames estuary, which was expected to raise the water level 50cm.

A spokesman said weather patterns signalled that big waves could hit exposed coastal areas.

Andy Batchelor, Tidal Area Flood Risk Manager, said: "We are continuing to monitor the weather and tidal situation closely and we will close the Thames Barrier again should we need to protect the 1.25 million people living and working in London's floodplain.

"These closures are the 115th and 116th times we have closed the Thames Barrier, and they serve as an important reminder to us all that living in the flood plain is never without risk."

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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